Binding strip for spring mattress structures



Sept. 8, 1953 J. cs. PLATT 2,651,059

BINDING STRIP FOR SPRING MATTRESS STRUCTURES Filed Jan. 2'7, 1951 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Sept. 8, 1953 BINDING STRIP FOR SPRING MATTRESS STRUCTURES John G. Platt, Carthage, Mo., assignor to Flex-- Lators, Inc., Carthage, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application January 27, 1951, Serial No. 208,108

5 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in spring mattress construction, and relates particularly to binding strips for the marginal edges of the coil spring of such mattresses. It is an improvement over the structure shown in my copending application Serial No. 163,345, filed May 22, 1950.

An important object of the present invention is the provision of a cushioned binding strip for the marginal edges of spring mattress structures so constructed that when it is applied to the mattress the cushioning material is disposed nearly entirely on the outer faces of the mattress and within the marginal limits thereof. This provides a more complete and efficient utilization of the cushioning material, and for protection and reinforcement of the binding strip itself by the mattress springs.

Another important object is the provision of a binding strip of the class described which provides a padding support surface extending inwardly from the edges of the mattress a considerable distance.

Other objects are the provision of a binding strip which is simple, economical, easily manufactured and applied, strong in tension while quite flexible, and adaptable for use in a wide variety of spring assemblies.

With these objects in view, as well as other objects which will appear in the course of the specification, reference will be had to the drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a spring mattress assembly, with binding strips embodying the present invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line II--II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the binding strip, shown laid out flat before application to the spring mattress.

Fig. 4 is an inner face view of a section of the binding strip, broken away to show the various layers thereof.

Like reference numerals apply to similar parts throughout the several views, and the numeral 2 applies to a spring mattress comprising as assembly of a plurality of spool-shaped helical springs 4 arranged in parallel spaced apart rows with their axes substantially parallel. Each of said springs has a substantially circular top loop 5 and bottom loop 8, said top and bottom loops lying respectively in planes forming the upper and lower faces of the assembly. The top loops of adjacent springs in each row of springs overlap slightly, and are joined by a plurality of helical binder coils which extend across the upper face of the assembly transversely to the 2, rows of springs, and which extend between corresponding pairs of springs in each row of springs, coiling about the overlapping portions of the top coils 6 thereof. Binder coils l2 similarly join the bottom loops 8 of the springs, as indicated in Fig. 2. It is to be understood however, that the arrangement of springs 4, and the means for joining them, are of no importance in the present invention, which relates only to the binding of the marginal edges of the spring assembly.

The binding strip, as shown in the drawings, includes a cover or body member M made of an elongated strip of pliable material such as paper, cloth, or the like, crepe paper being preferable since it has desirable characteristics to be described later. Said strip is folded longitudinally at [8 to produce an inner layer I6 and an outer layer 20. Fold I8 is not in the midline of member I4, but is offset therefrom whereby outer layer 20 is wider than inner layer [6, and projects outwardly from the edge 22 of said inner layer to form a flap 24. Between said inner and outer layers, and coextensive with the inner layer, is a double thickness 26 of a yieldable material such as a thick but soft paper having depressions formed therein commonly known as wafiled or dimpled paper. It is to be understood however, that other materials adapted to import a cushioning effect and a degree of stiffness to the binding strip could be used. Inner layer It is more than half as wide as the entire binding strip, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The binding strip is held in assembly by a line of stitching 28 extending longitudinally of the strip substantially in the midline thereof, and a parallel line of stitching 30 spaced apart from line 28 in the direction of the folded edge E8 of the strip. Both of said lines of stitches extend through inner layer It, the double thickness of waflle paper 26, and outer layer 20. Between said lines of stitching, outer layer 20 is offset outwardly to form a loop 32 for containing a cord 34 of a cushioning material. As shown, the cord comprises twisted strands of tissue paper, although it is to be understood that other suitable materials such as cotton, sisal, jute, wood pulp, or the like, could be used. Said cord has a core wire 36 extending therethrough. Said wire is small enough to possess a high degree of flexibility, yet imports a high tensile strength to the binding strip. The entire inner surface of the binding strip, comprising the outer face of layer It and the inner face of flap 24, has applied thereto a layer of adhesive 38. Said adhesive is preferably pressure sensitive, and of a type that will adhere only to itself, such as latex.

In use, the binding strip is folded longituthe user.

dinally along stitch line 28, and disposed, for example, about the upper marginal edge of the spring assembly 2, with the outer portions of the top loops 6 of the marginal springs 4 extending into the fold thereof,. as,shown in;1"ig.12. Flap 24 is thenpressed firmly-againstlayer I6, until the adhesive on these parts is firmly joined. The waffle paper layers 26 are flattened by the folding action where they wrapaabout tthecspring loops 6.

This structure is considered to have several advantages over any known:previous'bindera and over that shown in my own -=copending application. The primary purposes of the binding strip are of course to protect the .npholstery layers which are commonly applied over the spring assembly against wear by the friction of the springs thereagainst, and to provide greater comfort for A problemhas been the iprovision of a binding strip which issoft:andfiexibleenough to provide comfort, 'yet tough enough to provide the desired protection against wear -xan'd to hold its shape through,long:periods-;of time. iInthe present structure theuouter'portionsaof thev spring loops 6 and 8 are enclosed in a four-layer thickness of paper, and are wellshieldedby'said paper,

and by cordM. .-Said cord.is'disposedprincipally within the marginal limits of the springzassembly, thereby derives reinforcementfromrboth the paper layers and from-the'springs themselves. This arrangement providesa. binding strip-which holds its shape much better over. long periods of time.

It will be noted in Fig.2. that; thebinding strips are so positioned that the. multiple-layer portion of the binding strips are disposed on the outer faces of the spring assembly, :while'the flaps .24 are disposed inside of the=springassernbly .Thus the cushioning effect providedxby, layers 26 issextended inwardly a considerable distance from the edges of the assembly. Furthermore layersi26 impart a degree of-stiffness to that' portion of the binder lying against the outer surface "of xthe spring assembly, whereby it resists :deformation by the spring wires and-maintains'a substantially flat surface on whichthe mattresslpadding may rest. Flap '2'4, on:the other hand,-rreadily conforms to the wires'since itis relatively :thin and flexible. Making saidfiap'of..crepepaperz-assists in this matter since:the crinkles'in such paper, render it more. easily deformable.

Although I have shown :a specific embodiment of my invention, it isreadily apparent-thatmany minor changes of construction :could be made without departing from the-spirit :of :the invention.

What I claim as new and desirerto-protect:by Letters Patent is:

1. A binding strip -;for spring mattress structures comprising an elongated *strip of flexible sheet material, an elongated cushioning-member attached to one side of said strip, being longitudinally coextensive with ,said-stripland d sp sed at one side of the longitudinal midline thereof, said strip being adapted to be folded longitudinally along'its midline with said cushioning member on the outside to bringthe transverse edge portions thereof into juxtaposition, and means for joining said edge portions together.

2. A binding strip for spring mattress structures comprisingan elongated stripofpliable, easily deformable sheet material, a stiffeninglayer of pliable, compressiblematerial secured:to

said strip, being longitudinally coextensive with itensive' withvsaid strip and disposed at the side of thelongitudinal midline thereof adjacent the stiffened edge thereof, said binding strip being adapted to be folded longitudinally along its midlinewith.saidccushioning cord on the outside to Zbri-ng the transverse edge portions thereof into juxtaposition, and an adhesive coating on the -sui'face ofsaid binding strip inside of said fold.

'-3.-'A bin'ding strip for spring mattress structures comprising an elongated strip of crepe 'papenea Zstiifenii-igdlayer comprising a plurality of layers of waflle paper secured to said crepe *paper'strip, being longitudinally coextensive with said strip and extending transversely from one edge :of saidstrip a distance slightly-greater. than oneehalf the width of said strip, acord like member of cushioning material secured longitudinally to one side of said strip and. disposed at theside of the -midline thereof adjacent the stiffened edge thereof, said. binding strip being. adapted to be folded longitudinally along its midline with said 'cushioningcord on the outside to bring the transverse edge portions thereof into juxtaposition, and a coating of adhesive on the surface of said binding strip inside of said fold.

4. A binding strip for spring mattress structures comprising a cover formedof an elongated 'strip of pliable material folded longitudinally to pro'duce layers of unequal width, the layer of lesser width being greater than one-half 'the width of the layer of greater width, stiffening layers of pliable material disposed between said coverlayers and coextensive with saidlayer of lesser width, said'layer of .greater width being oifsetoutwardly to form a longitudinally extending loop disposed at the side of the midlineof said binding strip adjacent the stiffened edge thereof, a cord-like member of stiffening material disposed in saidloop, and -a coating of "adhesive: over the surface of said binding strip opposite said cushioning member.

5. A binding strip for spring mattress structures comprising a cover formed of an elongated strip of pliable material folded longitudinally to produce layers to unequal width, the layer of lesser width being greater than one-half .the

.width of the layer of greater width, stiffening lay- .-a.-cord-like member of stiffening material disposed in said loop, and a coating of adhesive ma- :terial over the surface of said binding member opposite said cushioning member.

JOHN G. PLATT.

References Cited in the flle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,235,538 Schob Mar. 18, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS ;Number Country Date 100,876 Australia May 20, 19.37 

